Metal Roof Cost Calculator

A metal roof costs $900–$1,600 per square installed, or roughly $15,000–$25,000 for a typical 2,000 sq ft home. That is about 2–3× the cost of asphalt shingles.

It depends on how long you stay. Metal lasts 40–70 years against asphalt's 20–30, so its cost per year is often lower. But it recoups only about 49% at resale versus asphalt's 61% — so if you are moving within a decade, the maths rarely works.

Steel and aluminium roofs last 40–70 years. Zinc and copper can last over a century. The coating usually fails before the metal does.

Not when installed over solid decking with underlayment, which is standard on homes. The stereotype comes from metal over open purlins on barns and sheds.

Sometimes, and it is a genuine cost saving — but it hides whatever is underneath, including rot, and some manufacturers void the warranty. Most roofers will tell you honestly that it is a false economy.

No. This is a persistent myth. Metal does not attract lightning, and because it is non-combustible it is arguably safer if lightning does strike.

In hot, sunny climates a reflective metal roof can reduce cooling costs measurably. In cold climates the effect is negligible. ENERGY STAR lists qualifying products.

It recoups roughly 49% of its cost at resale — a lower percentage than asphalt, though on a bigger number. Buyers value it, but rarely enough to pay for the full premium.